Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry Songfacts Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry Songfacts Songfacts The story of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer was written in 1939 by Robert L. May, a copywriter for the Chicago-based Montgomery Ward department stores, as a promotional gift for the store's customers. The stores had bought and distributed coloring books every Christmas and saw writing their own story as a way to save money. Montgomery Ward distributed 2.4 million copies of the Rudolph booklet in 1939. A total of 6 million copies had been given out by the end of 1946, even though wartime paper shortages restricted printing. The story reflects May's own childhood difficulties as the smallest boy in his class. He was taunted for being a frail, scrawny misfit. The reindeer was almost named Rollo or Reginald. May considered both these named before settling on Rudolph. Rudolph's story was made into a song when May's brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, developed the lyrics and melody for it.

Marks' musical version was first recorded by Gene Autry in 1949, selling 2 million copies that year. Autry didn't want anything to do with this song. It was his wife who talked him into recording it, and it went on to become the second biggest-selling Christmas song of all time, next to Bing Crosby's " White Christmas ." Crosby also recorded "Rudolph" and landed at #14 on the pop chart in 1950. >> Suggestion credit: Jeff - Boston, MA Autry was known as "The Singing Cowboy." He teamed up with Roy Rogers in the 1930s and '40s to make movies in a new genre called "Musical Westerns." Autry had his own TV show in the 1950s and was the owner of the California Angels baseball team, which later became the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Autry, who died in 1998, is the only person with five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he earned for motion pictures, radio, music recording, television, and live theater. This song was the basis for a children's TV Special made in 1964.

It was narrated by Burl Ives, and became a Christmas classic. The Chipmunks did a version that was a hit in Christmastime, 1960, reaching #21 US. The same year, a version by The Melodeers went to #71 and Paul Anka's rendition made #104. Johnny Marks had the idea for the song jotted down in his songbook for 10 years before developing it. He spoke about the tune's legacy with interviewer Ian Whitcomb: "I thought it was going to be a hit, but a regular hit. I didn't think it was just going to go on forever." Marks also penned the Christmas classics " Holly Jolly Christmas " and " Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree ." Because Autry's reputation was that of a Western star, he didn't feel suited to sing a Christmas song. Marks, however, was determined to change Autry's mind (even though he'd never met him). He enlisted an unknown singer named Al Cernik to record a demo in the style of Autry and shipped it to the star in California. After a long wait - and some prodding from his wife - Autry agreed to record the tune.

As for Al Cernik, he became Guy Mitchell, who had a #1 hit in 1956 with "Singing the Blues." The song earned Marks millions in royalties but by 1980, he was tired of being chained to Santa's sleigh. "This is not exactly what I hoped to be remembered for," he told People magazine of the enduring classic. "No matter what I write, they always say the same thing: 'It's just not 'Rudolph.'" The Temptations included this on their 1970 holiday album, The Temptations Christmas Card. The R&B-flavored cover landed on Billboard's Christmas Singles chart twice, at #16 in 1970 and #3 in 1971. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Words and Music by Johnny Marks , 1949 Notes: 1949: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by U.S. songwriter Johnny Marks, 40, who has adapted a verse written in 1939 by his brother-in-law, Robert L.

May, for a Montgomery Ward promotional childrenï¿½s book. There is a widely reproduced story concerning the creation of Rudolph by Robert May. It is not altogether accurate, but is reproduced here for the sake of completeness. Rudolph The Ninth Reindeer Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all," was born over a hundred years after his eight flying counterparts. The red-nosed wonder was the creation of Robert L. May, a copywriter at the Montgomery Ward department store. In 1939, May wrote a Christmas-themed story-poem to help bring holiday traffic into his store. Using a similar rhyme pattern to Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," May told the story of Rudolph, a young reindeer who was teased by the other deer because of his large, glowing, red nose. But, When Christmas Eve turned foggy and Santa worried that he wouldn't be able to deliver gifts that night, the former outcast saved Christmas by leading the sleigh by the light of his red nose. Rudolph's message-that given the opportunity, a liability can be turned into an asset-proved popular. Montgomery Ward sold almost two and a half million copies of the story in 1939.

When it was reissued in 1946, the book sold over three and half million copies. Several years later, one of May's friends, Johnny Marks, wrote a short song based on Rudolph's story (1949). It was recorded by Gene Autry and sold over two million copies. Since then, the story has been translated into twenty-five languages and been made into a television movie, narrated by Burl Ives, which has charmed audiences every year since 1964. Source: The History Channel William Studwell, The Christmas Carol Reader Reindeer are not a recent topic for Christmas songs. Ever since Clement Moore developed the modern myth of Santa Claus in his 1822 classic "Twas the Night Before Christmas," reindeer have been closely associated with Santa and have been mentioned in carols.

As far back as the 1850s or 1860s, Benjamin Hanby alluded to the animals in his "Up on the Housetop." Two other holiday songs with reindeer featured were Ken Darby's 1942 musical rendition of Moore's poem and the 1946 hit, "Here Comes Santa Claus" by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman. But Johnny Marks' 1949 phenomenon "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was a lot more than the mere mention of deer. Rudolph was the first important new Christmas character since Moore's introduction of the magnanimous Christmas elf. The success of Rudolph apparently encouraged the subsequent appearance of other imaginative and lasting fictional personalities such as Frosty the Snowman, the Chipmunks, and the Grinch. In addition, Marks' song, although not the first highly popular novelty carol to appear after World War II, was the supreme prototype of Christmas novelties and possibly served as the impetus for similar songs later on. Marks, though, was not the creator of the Rudolph character. In 1939, Marks' brother-in-law, Robert L.

May, developed the story of Rudolph as part of an advertising promotion for Montgomery Ward stores [some sources state that it was a children's book; others state that it was a comic book]. [It caught the fancy of Hollywood. In either 1942 or 1944 ï¿½ the sources differ ï¿½ a cartoon Rudolph was released.] In 1947, Wards graciously gave the copyright for Rudolph to May, who published the tale in book form that year. Instantly, the little volume became a best-seller. No doubt inspired by the extraordinary success of May's book, Marks adapted the delightful story into equally charming lyrics, added a very catchy tune, obtained a big-name recording artist, and an even more extraordinary commercial success soon ensued. The initial recorder of "Rudolph," movie cowboy and country-western singer Gene Autry, was not new to the Christmas record game or to the reindeer game. Somewhat earlier he had sung his own composition "Here Comes Santa Claus" into the hearts of holiday audiences.

"Rudolph," however, far surpassed the popularity of Autry's previous recording, quickly reaching the top of the music ratings near the end of 1949. It made Marks (1909-1985) an overnight celebrity and facilitated his later composition of a batch of other holiday songs. Only one other twentieth-century American popular carol, "White Christmas," has exceeded the public acceptance of "Rudolph." Recorded in many versions, selling many millions of records, "Rudolph" has rapidly evolved into a singular Christmas institution. A variety of holiday merchandise has been marketed based on the beloved little animal whose brightly shining nose led Santa and his sleigh through the crisis of a foggy Christmas Even And not one but three holiday specials were produced with Rudolph as the star. In 1964 the annual favorite Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with "Snowman" Burl Ives narrating and singing, was first telecast. William L.

Simon, ed., Readerï¿½s Digest Merry Christmas Songbook (1981) The statistics are staggering: more than 160 million recordings by more than 500 different performers and some 7million copies of sheet music, not to mention toys, clothing, watches, all bearing the image of a shiny-nosed deer. The cause of it all? "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' by Johnny Marks, one of the most successful songs of all time. Cowboy star Gene Autry introduced "Rudolph' at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1949. His recording has since sold more than 12 of those 160 million recordings, a half-million in 1980 alone-making it the second biggest-selling recording after Bing Crosby s version of "White Christmas. Rudolph has inspired several television specials, and the little reindeer is still a popular favorite every Christmas, joining Dancer and Prancer and the other six reindeer around Santa's sleigh. The animated classic of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was set in Christmas Town was developed by the Rankin-Bass studio using the "Animagic" animated-puppet process.

Produced by Arthur Rankin, Jr., and co-produced by Jules Bass, the animation was written by Romeo Muller, adapted from the story by Robert L. May. Lyrics and music by Johnny Marks ï¿½ who wrote the original "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" song. It was directed by Larry Roemer, with narration by Burl Ives, who assumed the persona of "Sam the Snowman" ï¿½ who looked a lot like a stylized Ives, who sang the title song plus "Silver and Gold" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas." In 1998, the classic had some footage restored (which hadnï¿½t been seen since the original aired in 1964), and the color was digitally restored to the original hues.

Other songs performed included "Jingle, Jingle, Jingle" (sung by Santa), "We are Santaï¿½s Elves" (performed by the Elves), "Why Am I such a Misfit" (just a couple of lines sung first by Hermy and then by Rudolph), "Thereï¿½s Always Tomorrow" (sung by Clarisse, Rudolphï¿½s doe-friend), "Weï¿½re a Couple of Misfits" (a duet sung by Hermy and Rudolph, replacing "Fame and Fortune"), and "Weï¿½re On the Island of Misfit Toys" (sung by the Misfit Toys Choir; the refrain of this song was "When Christmas Day is here, the most wonderful day of the year"). The program ran long in 1998ï¿½s airing and my tape of the show didnï¿½t capture the last few minutes. Whether or not any attribution of voices or singers was given was unknown. Other characters included the Abominable Snow Monster of the North (a.k.a.

a "Bumble"), Hermy the Else (whoï¿½s rather be a dentist), Yukon Cornelius (a prospector about whom Ives sang "Silver and Gold"), Charlie-in-the-Box (official sentry of the Island of Misfit Toys), King Moon Racer (King of the Island), Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the following reindeer: Fireball (Rudolphï¿½s best friend while times were good), Clarisse (Rudolphï¿½s loyal doe-friend), Comet (coach of the yearlings), Dasher (Rudolphï¿½s dad), and Donner (father of Clarisse). The animated classic bears little connection to the story in the original book. Click here for more information about the animation Two follow-up programs, Rudolph's Shiny New Year 1976), narrated by Red Skelton, and Rudolph and Frosty [rerun as Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, 1979], were unfortunately not nearly as well received [although they are annually broadcast during the holiday season].

All of these supplemental activities, though, have helped to keep Rudolph and his nose in the forefront of the ongoing secular celebration of Christmas. Rudolphï¿½s Shiny New Year: From Warner Brothers, a Rankin/Bass Production, 1975. How Rudolph saves the New Year ... just days after saving Christmas. Told and sung by Red Skelton as "Father Time" and "Baby Bear." Also featuring Frank Gorshin, Morry Amsterdam, Hal Perry, Paul Frees, and Billie Richards. Music and lyrics by Johnny Marks. Written by Romeo Muller. Produced and directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass.

Songs include "Have a Hap, Hap, Happy New Year," "Turn Back the Years," "When Things Go Wrong (Itï¿½s Raining Sunshine)," "What a Wonderful World We Live In," "Thereï¿½s a Happy Celebration," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Characters include Happy, the baby New Year; Eon the Terrible, a vulture-like character; General Time; Quarter-Past-Five, the camel; Father Time; Nanny Nine-O-Clock, the nurse; Big Ben, a whale; O.M. ï¿½ the cave man Father Time in 1 million BC; Sev, Father Time for 1776 (Ben Franklin); and Santa Claus. November 23, 1999 GeneAutry.com: Clubhouse - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Johnny Marks It has been said, Songwriters Hall of Fame member Johnny Marks achieved in his lifetime, "what is probably the most dreamed-of, sought-after and elusive goal of all songwriters: immortality." Others referred to him as "Mr.

Christmas of the music world," "the man who owns Christmas" and, to quote the Associated Press, "is as identified with Christmas songs as Stephen Foster is with sentimental ballads of the Old South." Four of his Yuletide hits became award-winning classics, each having sold countless millions of records. They are Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree and A Holly Jolly Christmas. He is also the outstanding composer of scores for television specials, which together have been viewed by over a billion people. They are Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964 Rankin/Bass) with Burl Ives and the longest-running special in TV history, Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976 Rankin/Bass) with Red Skelton, and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In July (1979 Rankin/Bass) with Ethel Merman, Shelly Winters, Mickey Rooney and Red Buttons. All three have scored Top-10 Nielsen ratings.

Other TV specials for which Marks composed the scores were The Ballad of Smokey the Bear (1966 Rankin/Bass) with James Cagney and The Tiny Tree (1975 DePatie-Freleng Entertainment) with Robert Flack and Buddy Ebsen. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas in July (1979 Rankin/Bass) Marks also established himself as a successful composer for TV commercials, which he wrote for General Electric over a three-year period. In 1967, one of these commercials won the Gold Medal Award for the International Film and TV Festival. Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976 Rankin/Bass) Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer started Johnny Marks' phenomenal success with Christmas songs in 1949, although he had already established himself as a successful composer prior to this. It is probably the biggest, worldwide hit of all time, and in 1972 the song was voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This Week Magazine called Rudolph one of the two most valuable songs in the world.

It has sold more than 150,000,000 records. In excess of 8,000,000 copies of sheet music and 25,000,000 copies of 140 different arrangements for orchestra, band, choral, instrumental, etc. have been sold to date. The lyrics are translated into numerous languages. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was first recorded by Singing Cowboy Gene Autry for Columbia records on June 27, 1949 in Hollywood and introduced by Gene in Madison Square Garden. It immediately swept the country. The following year, it could be heard blaring from radios from Piccadilly to Tokyo. The original Autry record has gone over the 12,000,000 mark, the all-time best-seller of Columbia Records and the second biggest Christmas record of all time. Gene Autry's Columbia Records recording of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1985. There have been more than 500 recordings of the song.

In 1973 the International Society of Santa Claus presented their first award honoring those for their contribution to the spirit of Christmas to Johnny Marks for Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Irving Berlin for White Christmas. The runners-up were Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and Clement Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." More Christmas Tunes Followed Rudolph Run, Rudolph, Run (also known as Run, Run Rudolph) was recorded by Chuck Berry in 1958 and released on Chess Records and made it to #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and in 1963 Berry's version made the UK list, peaking at #36. The song has since been recorded by a variety of artists including Cheryl Crow, Jimmy Buffett, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and the Grateful Dead. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day was first recorded in 1956 by Bing Crosby. In 1981, Metropolitan Opera star Placido Domingo joined a list of some 70 other artists who have recorded it, including Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, Sarah McLachlan, Eddy Arnold and Johnny Cash.

More than 4,500,000 records have been sold to date. The lyrics were adapted from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree became an international hit in 1960, as recorded by Brenda Lee. While the song has been recorded by many other stars, Brenda Lee's version enjoys the most popularity due to her crossover appeal in the radio genres of Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Country Music, Oldies, and Adult Standards. With additional artists like Amy Grant, Cyndi Lauper and Miley Cyrus (as Hanna Montana) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree has sold more than 4,000,000 records. A Holly Jolly Christmas was a hit for Burl Ives in 1963 when he introduced it in the Rudolph TV special. Some 3,500,000 records have been sold. Other successful Christmas songs written by Johnny Marks include Silver and Gold, The Night Before Christmas Song, When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter, A Caroling We Go, and Joyous Christmas.

In 1956, Marks compiled and edited the Christmas Community Lyric Book, which sold over 4,000,000 copies. Biography of Johnny Marks John D. Marks was born in Mount Vernon, New York on November 10, 1909. He obtained his B.A. Degree from Colgate University in 1931, later taking music courses at Columbia University, as well as studying in Paris. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Mu Pi Delta, and Kappa Phi Kappa. During World War II, Marks served four years in the Army. He enlisted as a Private and rose to the rank of Captain. He commanded a separate company, having received the appointment from General Eisenhower in France. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and four Battle Stars. His company received the Meritorious Service Plaque and served with General Patton's Third Army from Normandy to Salzburg. Johnny was an active songwriter beginning in 1935. He wrote over 150 published songs and some 750 still unpublished songs.

Among his hits, other than Christmas songs are Everything I've Always Wanted, an ASCAP Award winner with Porter Wagoner and from the TV special Rudolph and Frosty (Marks' four Christmas hits also received ASCAP Awards); Anyone Can Move a Mountain, recorded by Kate Smith and Harry Simione and from the TV special The Ballad of Smokey the Bear; Address Unknown, with the Ink Spots; Who Calls, with Bing Crosby; She'll Always Remember, with Glenn Miller; and Don't Cross Your Fingers, Cross Your Heart, with Sammy Kaye. In 1949, Song Hits Magazine selected him as the "Songwriter of the Year." Johnny Marks was an active member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and was on the Board of Directors, the Board of Review and the Advisory Committee and from 1957 through 1961 was the Director of ASCAP. Marks became a music publisher in 1949 when he organized St. Nicholas Music, the foremost publisher of Christmas songs. ASCAP selected him, in 1963, to join a USO Songwriters unit to entertain American servicemen in the Far East.

The following year, he served as a judge at the Stephen Foster Memorial Singing Contest. In 1981, Johnny Marks was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame . Johnny Marks died September 3, 1985. His songwriting legacy lives on through his publishing company St. Nicholas Music which is run by his son, Michael Marks. West Saint Paul Antiques West Saint Paul Antiques Shop Where the Dealers Shop! Image: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a character created in a story and song by the same name. The story was created by Robert L. May in 1939 as part of his employment with Montgomery Ward. The story is owned by The Rudolph Company, L.P. and has been sold in numerous forms including a popular song, a television special (done in stop motion animation), and a feature film. Character Arts, LLC manages the licensing for the Rudolph Company, L.P. Although the story and song are not public domain, Rudolph has become a figure of Christmas folklore.

The song tells the tale of Santa Claus's ninth and lead reindeer who possesses an unusually red-colored nose that gives off its own light, powerful enough to illuminate the team's path through inclement weather. The song Johnny Marks decided to adapt May's story into a song, which through the years has been recorded by many artists. It was first sung commercially by crooner Harry Brannon on New York City radio in the latter part of 1948 before Gene Autry recorded it formally in 1949, and has since filtered into the popular consciousness. The lyric "All of the other reindeer" can be misheard as the mondegreen "Olive, the other reindeer", and has given rise to another fictional character, Olive. The song in its Finnish translation, Petteri Punakuono, has led to Rudolph's general acceptance in the mythology as Joulupukki's, the Finnish Santa's, lead reindeer. However, in Finland, Santa's reindeer do not fly. Mike Eheman made the newest version of the song with the actual flying reindeer so Santa can land on roof tops.

The song also holds the distinction of being the only number one hit to fall completely off the chart after hitting #1 the week of Christmas 1949. Rudolph in the media Theatrical cartoon short Rudolph's first screen appearance came in 1944, in the form of a cartoon short produced by Max Fleischer for the Jam Handy Corporation, that was more faithful to May's original story than Marks's song (which had not yet been written). Children's book In 1958, Golden Books published an illustrated storybook, adapted by Barbara Shook Hazen and illustrated by Richard Scarry. The book is similar in story to the Max Fleischer cartoon short. Although it is one of the more memorable versions of the story in book form, it is apparently no longer in print. However, a revised Golden Books version of the storybook has since been issued. Animated TV special Main article: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special) The reindeer made his television debut on NBC in 1964, when Rankin/Bass produced a stop motion animated TV special of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that became a popular hit in itself.

This version was re-broadcast annually many times over the years, even after it was finally released on video and then DVD. It now airs several times during the Christmas season (on CBS rather than NBC), making it the longest-running TV special in terms of consecutive years. A small bit of trivia regarding the 1964 production, the Roman Numeral Date given at the beginning of the show is in error, missing the second "M", (MCLXIV) which equates to the year 1164. It should have read MCMLXIV to be correct. In 1976, a sequel to the Rankin-Bass original special was produced, entitled Rudolph's Shiny New Year, and then a third in 1979 entitled Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July. The 2001 film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys, while it used the same characters, was produced by a different company, and it's unclear whether or not it should be considered as part of this particular canon.

Animated feature-length film Main article: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie An animated feature film remake of the story was produced in 1998, entitled Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie. It received only a limited theatrical release before debuting on home video. Despite this it has garnered a base of dedicated fans as well as criticisms of many of the songs. Its inclusion of a villain character, Stormella, and a love interest, Zoey, for Rudolph as well as a small sidekick, Slyly, and a strong protector character are very derivative of the Rankin-Bass adaptation of the story as opposed to the original tale and song (the characters of Stormella, Zoey, Arrow, Slyly and Leonard closely parallel the Rankin-Bass characters of The Bumble, Clarice, Fireball, Hermey the Dentist, and Yukon Cornelius respectively). The movie amplifies the early back-story of Rudolph's harassment by his schoolmates (primarily an older fawn named Arrow) during his formative years.

GoodTimes Entertainment, the producers of this film, brought back most of the same production team for a CGI-animated sequel, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys in 2001. Unlike the film, the sequel licensed the original characters from the Rankin-Bass special. Comic books National Periodical Publications, also known as DC Comics, published a series of 13 Annuals titled Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from 1950 to 1962. In 1972, DC published a 14th edition in an extra-large format. Subsequently, they published six more in that format: Limited Collectors' Edition C-24, C-33, C-42, C-50 and All-New Collectors' Edition C-53, C-60. Additionally, one digest format edition was published as The Best of DC #4 (Mar/Apr 1980). Relatives Main article: Santa Claus's reindeer#Additional reindeer Two BBC animations carry on the legend by introducing Rudolph's son, Robbie the Reindeer.

However, Rudolph is never directly mentioned by name (references are replaced by a character interrupting with the phrase "Don't say that name!" or something similar, presumably for copyright reasons.) Rudolph is also given a brother, Rusty Reindeer, in the 2006 American special Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen. Unlike with Robbie, Rudolph's name is mentioned freely in the film. Michael Fry and T. Lewis have recently given Rudolph another brother in a series of Over the Hedge comic strips; an overweight, emotionally-damaged reindeer named "Ralph, the Infra-Red nosed Reindeer", who has a red nose just like Rudolph's, but his is good for defrosting Santa's sleigh and warming up toast ("and WAFFLES!!", adds Hammy). He appeared before R.J., Verne, and Hammy, enviously complaining about his brother's publicity and his anonymity. Rudolph has a cousin, Leroy, in Joe Diffie's 1995 song Leroy the Redneck Reindeer. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.

respect women, parents and his nation's laws. be a patriot. Beginning in 1950, he produced and starred in his own television show on CBS, and made several appearances on ABC-TV's Jubilee USA in the late 1950s. Retirement Autry retired from show business in 1964, having made almost 100 films up to 1955, and over 600 records. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969, and to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. After retiring, he invested widely and wisely in real estate, radio, and television, including the purchase from dying Republic Pictures the rights for films he had made for the company. In 1952, Autry bought the old Monogram Ranch in Placerita Canyon (Newhall-Santa Clarita, California) and renamed it Melody Ranch. Numerous "B" Westerns and TV shows were shot there during Autry's ownership, including the initial years of Gunsmoke with James Arness. Melody Ranch burned down in 1962, dashing Autry's plans to turn it into a museum.

According to a published story by Autry, the fire caused him to turn his attention to Griffith Park, where he would build his Museum of Western Heritage (now known as the Autry National Center). Melody Ranch came back to life after 1991, when it was purchased by the Veluzat family and rebuilt. It survives as a movie location today as well as the home of the City of Santa Clarita's annual Cowboy Festival, where Autry's legacy always takes center stage. Baseball owner Autry's number 26 was retired by the California Angels in 1992 In the 1950s, Autry had been a minority owner of the minor-league Hollywood Stars. In 1960, when Major League Baseball announced plans to add an expansion team in Los Angeles, Autry � who had once declined an opportunity to play in the minor leagues, � expressed an interest in acquiring the radio broadcast rights to the team's games. Baseball executives were so impressed by his approach that he was persuaded to become the owner of the franchise rather than simply its broadcast partner.

The team, initially called the Los Angeles Angels upon its 1961 debut, moved to suburban Anaheim in 1966, and was re-named the California Angels, then the Anaheim Angels from 1997 until 2005, when it became the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Autry served as vice president of the American League from 1983 until his death. In 1995 he sold a quarter share of the team to The Walt Disney Company, and a controlling interest the following year, with the remaining share to be transferred after his death. Earlier, in 1982, he sold Los Angeles television station KTLA for $245 million. He also sold several radio stations he owned, including KSFO in San Francisco, KMPC in Los Angeles, KOGO in San Diego, and other stations in the Golden West radio network. The number 26 was retired by the Angels in Autry's honor. The chosen number reflected that baseball's rosters are 25-man strong and Autry's unflagging support for his team made him the 26th member.

Death Included for many years on Forbes magazine's list of the 400 richest Americans, he slipped to their "near miss" category in 1995 with an estimated net worth of $320 million. Gene Autry died of lymphoma at age 91 at his home in Studio City, California and is interred in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. His death on October 2, 1998 came less than three months after the death of another celebrated cowboy of the silver screen, radio, and TV, Roy Rogers. Personal life In 1932 he married Ina May Spivey (who died in 1980), who was the niece of Jimmy Long. He married Jacqueline Ellam in 1981. She had been his banker. He had no children by either marriage. Further information: Jackie Autry Legacy In 1972, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Autry was a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Burbank Lodge No. 1497.

His 1976 autobiography, co-written by Mickey Herskowitz, was titled Back in the Saddle Again after his 1939 hit and signature tune. He is also featured year after year, on radio and "shopping mall music" at the holiday season, by his recording of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." "Rudolph" became the first #1 hit of the 1950s. CMT in 2003 ranked him #38 in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music. When the Anaheim Angels won their first World Series in 2002, much of the championship was dedicated to him. The interchange of Interstate 5 and State Route 134, located near the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, is signed as the "Gene Autry Memorial Interchange." In 2007, he became a charter member of the Gennett Records Walk of Fame in Richmond, Indiana.

Johnny Cash recorded a song in 1978 about Autry called "Who is Gene Autry." Cash also got Autry to sign his famous black Martin D-35 guitar, and the signature can be seen very clearly in the video for "Hurt." NWA member Eazy-E mentioned Autry in his song "We Want Eazy" from his 1988 album Eazy Duz It. Autry was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2004, the Starz Entertainment Corporation joined forces with the Autry estate to restore all of his films, which have been shown on Starz's Encore Western Channel on cable television on a regular basis to date since. Hollywood Walk of Fame Autry is the only celebrity to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one in each of the five categories maintained by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. They are: Name Gene Autry - Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings - Amazon.com Music Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings Audio CD, Original recording remastered, September 21, 2004 "Please retry" Includes FREE MP3 version of this album. Provided by Amazon Digital Services LLC. Terms and Conditions .

Does not apply to gift orders. Complete your purchase to save the MP3 version to your music library. Garth Brooks Streaming Exclusively on Amazon Music With Amazon Music Unlimited you can listen to every album by Garth Brooks. Learn more See all buying options $11.88 Free Shipping for Prime Members | Fast, FREE Shipping with Amazon Prime Only 9 left in stock (more on the way). Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available. Frequently Bought Together Add all three to Cart Add all three to List One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details Buy the selected items together This item:Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings by Gene Autry Audio CD $11.88 Only 9 left in stock (more on the way). Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $49. Details Rudolph The Red-Noised Reindeer by Gene Autry Audio CD $8.99 In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $49. Details Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $49.

Details Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. Next Special Offers and Product Promotions Save Big On Open-Box & Pre-owned: Buy "Complete Columbia Christmas Recordingsâ from Amazon Warehouse Deals and save 33% off the $13.98 list price. Product is eligible for Amazon's 30-day returns policy and Prime or FREE Shipping. See all Open-Box & Pre-owned offers from Amazon Warehouse Deals. Your cost could be $0.00 instead of $11.88! Get a $50 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly upon approval for the Amazon Rewards Visa Card Apply now Editorial Reviews All 27 (!) holiday-themed sides Gene cut for Columbia, including a bunch never before on CD!

Some of these renditions are simply the most popular ever recorded: Here Comes Santa Claus (Right down Santa Claus Lane); Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Frosty the Snow Man; The Night Before Christmas Song (with Rosemary Clooney); He's a Chubby Little Fellow; Merry Texas Chistmas, You All!; Sleigh Bells; Up on the House Top (Ho Ho Ho) , and more. Track Listings 1. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 2. An Old Fashioned Tree 3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4. If It DoesnÂt Snow On Christmas 5. HeÂs A Chubby Little Fellow 6. Santa, Santa, Santa 7. Frosty The Snow Man 8. When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter 9. (Hard Rock, Coco and Joe) The Three Little Dwarfs 10. Thirty-Two Feet - Eight Little Tails 11. Poppy The Puppy 12. HeÂll Be Coming Down the Chimney (Like He Always Did Before) 13.

The Night Before Christmas Song - Rosemary Clooney and Gene Autry 14. Look Out The Window (The Winter Song) - Rosemary Clooney and Gene Autry 15. Merry Texas Christmas, You All! 16. The Night Before Christmas (In Texas, That Is) 17. Where Did My Snowman Go? 18. Freddie, The Little Fir Tree 19. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 20 Santa Claus Is CominÂ To Town 20. Up On The House Top (Ho Ho Ho) 21. I Wish My Mom Would Marry Santa Claus 22. Sleigh Bells 23. Round, Round The Christmas Tree 24. Merry Christmas Waltz 25. EveryoneÂs a Child at Christmas 26. You Can See Old Santa Claus (When You Find Him In Your Heart) Product Details Audio CD (September 21, 2004) Rmst ed.

edition Gene Autry · 2017 Tour Dates and Concert Tickets | Thrillcall Track Artist for New Show Alerts Orvon Grover Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as a singing cowboy on the radio, in movies, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s. Aut... Orvon Grover Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as a singing cowboy on the radio, in movies, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s. Autry was also owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997. From 1934 to 1953, Autry appeared in 93 films and 91 episodes of The Gene Autry Show television series.

During the 1930s and 1940s, he personified the straight-shooting hero—honest, brave, and true—and profoundly touched the lives of millions of Americans. Autry was also one of the most important figures in the history of country music, considered the second major influential artist of the genre's development after Jimmie Rodgers. His singing cowboy movies were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience. In addition to his signature song, "Back in the Saddle Again", Autry is still remembered for his Christmas holiday songs, "Here Comes Santa Claus", which he wrote, "Frosty the Snowman", and his biggest hit, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Autry is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for film, television, music, radio, and live performance. The town of Gene Autry, Oklahoma was named in his honor.

Biography Early years Orvon Grover Autry was born September 29, 1907 near Tioga in Grayson County in north Texas, the grandson of a Methodist preacher. His parents, Delbert Autry and Elnora Ozment, moved in the 1920s to Ravia in Johnston County in southern Oklahoma. He worked on his father's ranch while at school. After leaving high school in 1925, Autry worked as a telegrapher for the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway. His talent at singing and playing guitar led to performing at local dances. Singing career While working as a telegrapher, Autry would sing and accompany himself on the guitar to pass the lonely hours, especially when he had the midnight shift. This later got him sacked. One night he was encouraged to sing professionally by a customer, the famous humorist Will Rogers, who had heard Autry singing. As soon as he could collect money to travel, he went to New York. He auditioned for Victor Records, at just about the time (end of 1928) it became RCA Victor.

According to Nathaniel Shilkret, director of Light Music for Victor at the time, Autry asked to speak to Shilkret when Autry found that he had been turned down. Shilkret explained to Autry that he was turned down not because of his voice, but because Victor had just made contracts with two similar singers. Autry left with a letter of introduction from Shilkret and the advice to sing on radio to gain experience and to come back in a year or two. In 1928, Autry was singing on Tulsa's radio station KVOO as "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy," and the Victor archives show an October 9, 1929, entry stating that the vocal duet of Jimmie Long and Gene Autry with two Hawaiian guitars, directed by L. L. Watson, recorded "My Dreaming of You" (Matrix 56761) and "My Alabama" (Matrix 56762). Autry signed a recording deal with Columbia Records in 1929.

He worked in Chicago, Illinois, on the WLS-AM radio show National Barn Dance for four years, and with his own show, where he met singer-songwriter Smiley Burnette. In his early recording career, Autry covered various genres, including a labor song, "The Death of Mother Jones" in 1931. Autry also recorded many "hillbilly"-style records in 1930 and 1931 in New York City, which were certainly different in style and content from his later recordings. These were much closer in style to the Prairie Ramblers or Dick Justice, and included the "Do Right, Daddy Blues" and "Black Bottom Blues," both similar to "Deep Elem Blues." These late-Prohibition era songs deal with bootlegging, corrupt police, and women whose occupation was certainly vice. These recordings are generally not heard today but are available on European import labels, such as JSP Records. His first hit was in 1932 with "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine," a duet with fellow railroad man, Jimmy Long, and which Autry and Long co-wrote.

Autry also sang the classic Ray Whitley hit "Back In The Saddle Again", as well as many Christmas holiday songs, including "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," his own composition "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Frosty the Snowman," and his biggest hit, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." He wrote "Here Comes Santa Claus" after being the Grand Marshall of the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade (Now the Hollywood Christmas Parade). He heard all of the spectators watching the parade saying "Here comes Santa Claus!" virtually handing him the title for his song. He recorded his version of the song in 1947 and it became an instant classic. Autry was the original owner of Challenge Records. The label's biggest hit was "Tequila" by The Champs in 1958, which started the rock-and-roll instrumental craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He sold the label soon after, but the maroon and later green label has the "GA" in a shield above the label name. Autry made 640 recordings, including more than 300 songs written or co-written by himself.

His records sold more than 100 million copies and he has more than a dozen gold and platinum records, including the first record ever certified gold. Film career Discovered by film producer Nat Levine in 1934, Autry and Burnette made their film debut for Mascot Pictures Corp. in In Old Santa Fe as part of a singing cowboy quartet; he was then given the starring role by Levine in 1935 in the 12-part serial The Phantom Empire. Shortly thereafter, Mascot was absorbed by the newly formed Republic Pictures Corp. and Autry went along to make a further 44 films up to 1940, all B Westerns in which he played under his own name, rode his horse, Champion, had Burnette as his regular sidekick, and had many opportunities to sing in each film. Pat Buttram was picked by Gene Autry, recently returned from his World War II service in the United States Army Air Forces, to work with him.

Buttram would co-star with Gene Autry in more than 40 films and in over 100 episodes of Autry's television show In the Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars poll Autry was listed every year from 1936 to 1942 and 1946 to 1954 (he was serving in the AAF 1943–45), holding first place 1937 to 1942, and second place (after Roy Rogers) 1947 to 1954. He appeared in the similar Box Office poll from 1936 to 1955, holding first place from 1936 to 1942 and second place (after Rogers) from 1943 to 1952. While these two polls are really an indication only of the popularity of series stars, Autry also appeared in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll of all films from 1940 to 1942, His Gene Autry Flying "A" Ranch Rodeo show debuted in 1940.

Gene Autry was the first of the singing cowboys in films, but was succeeded as the top star by Roy Rogers while Gene Autry served in the AAF during World War II. Autry briefly returned to Republic to finish out his contract, which had been suspended for the duration of his military service and which he had tried to have declared void after his discharge. He appeared in 1951 in the film Texans Never Cry, with a role for newcomer Mary Castle. After 1951 he formed his own production company to make Westerns under his own control, which continued the 1947 distribution agreement with Columbia Pictures. Melody Ranch Autry purchased the 110 acre Monogram Movie Ranch in 1953, located in Placerita Canyon near Newhall, California in the northern San Gabriel Mountains foothills. He renamed it the Melody Ranch after his movie Melody Ranch. Autry then sold 98 acres of the property, most of the original ranch. The Western town, adobes, and ranch cabin sets and open land for location shooting were retained as a movie ranch on 12 acres.

A decade after he purchased Melody Ranch, a brushfire swept through in August 1962, destroying most of the original standing sets. However, the devastated landscape did prove useful for productions such as Combat!. A complete adobe ranch survived at the northeast section of the ranch. In 1990, after his favorite horse Champion, who lived in retirement there, died, Autry put the remaining 12 acre ranch up for sale. It is now known as the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio and Melody Ranch Studios on 22 acres. The ranch has Melody Ranch Museum open year-round; and one weekend a year the entire ranch is open to the public during the Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, another legacy of Autry's multi-talents. Radio and television career From 1940 to 1956, Autry had a huge hit with a weekly show on CBS Radio, Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. His horse, Champion, also had a CBS-TV and Mutual radio series, The Adventures of Champion. In response to his many young radio listeners aspiring to emulate him, Autry created the Cowboy Code, or Ten Cowboy Commandments.

These tenets promoting an ethical, moral, and patriotic lifestyle that appealed to youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts, which developed similar doctrines. The Cowboy Code consisted of rules that were "a natural progression of Gene's philosophies going back to his first Melody Ranch programs—and early pictures." According to the code: The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage. He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him. He must always tell the truth. He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals. He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas. He must help people in distress. He must be a good worker. He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits. He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws. The Cowboy is a patriot. Beginning in 1950, he produced and starred in his own television show on CBS and made several appearances on ABC-TV's Jubilee USA in the late 1950s.

In 1995 Autry costarred with Charlton Heston, Mickey Rooney, Deborah Winters and Peter Graves in the Warren Chaney docudrama, America: A Call to Greatness. Military career During World War II Autry enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and became a tech sergeant in the Air Corps. Holding a private pilot's license, he was determined to become an aviator and earned his service pilot rating in June 1944, serving as a C-109 transport pilot with the rank of flight officer. Assigned to a unit of the Air Transport Command, he flew as part of the dangerous airlift operation over the Himalayas between India and China, nicknamed the Hump. Rodeo Few are aware of Autry's longtime involvement in professional rodeo. In 1942 Autry, at the height of his screen popularity, had a string of rodeo stock based in Ardmore, Oklahoma. A year later he became a partner in the World Championship Rodeo Company, which furnished livestock for many of the country's major rodeos. In 1954 he acquired Montana's top bucking string from the estate of Leo J.

Cremer, Sr. and put Canadian saddle bronc riding champion Harry Knight in charge of the operation. A merger with the World Championship Rodeo Company in 1956 made Autry the sole owner. He moved the entire company to a 24,000-acre (97 km2) ranch near Fowler, Colorado, with Knight as the working partner in the operation. For the next 12 years they provided livestock for most of the major rodeos in Texas, Colorado, Montana and Nebraska. When the company was sold in 1968, both men continued to be active in rodeo. For his work as a livestock contractor Autry was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. Retirement Autry retired from show business in 1964, having made almost 100 films up to 1955 and over 600 records. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969 and to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

After retiring, he invested widely and in real estate, radio, and television, including the purchase from dying Republic Pictures the rights for films he had made for the company. In 1952 Autry bought the old Monogram Ranch in Placerita Canyon (Newhall-Santa Clarita, California,) and renamed it Melody Ranch. Numerous "B" Westerns and TV shows were shot there during Autry's ownership, including the initial years of Gunsmoke with James Arness. Melody Ranch burned down in 1962, dashing Autry's plans to turn it into a museum. According to a published story by Autry the fire caused him to turn his attention to Griffith Park, where he would build his Museum of Western Heritage (now known as the Autry National Center). Melody Ranch came back to life after 1991, when it was purchased by the Veluzat family and rebuilt. It survives as a movie location today as well as the home of the City of Santa Clarita's annual Cowboy Festival, where Autry's legacy takes center stage. Baseball In the 1950s Autry had been a minority owner of the minor-league Hollywood Stars.

In 1960, when Major League Baseball announced plans to add an expansion team in Los Angeles, Autry—who had once declined an opportunity to play in the minor leagues—expressed an interest in acquiring the radio broadcast rights to the team's games. Baseball executives were so impressed by his approach that he was persuaded to become the owner of the franchise rather than simply its broadcast partner. The team, initially called the Los Angeles Angels upon its 1961 debut, moved to suburban Anaheim in 1966, and was renamed the California Angels, then the Anaheim Angels from 1997 until 2005, when it became the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Autry served as vice president of the American League from 1983 until his death. In 1995 he sold a quarter share of the team to The Walt Disney Company and a controlling interest the following year, with the remaining share to be transferred after his death. Earlier, in 1982, he sold Los Angeles television station KTLA for $245 million.

He also sold several radio stations he owned, including KSFO in San Francisco, KMPC in Los Angeles, KOGO in San Diego, and other stations in the Golden West radio network. The number 26 (as in 26th man) was retired by the Angels in Autry's honor. The chosen number reflected that baseball's rosters are 25-man strong, so Autry's unflagging support for his team made him the 26th member. Death Gene Autry died of lymphoma on October 2, 1998, aged 91 at his home in Studio City, California and is interred in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Personal life In 1932 he married Ina May Spivey (who died in 1980), who was the niece of Jimmy Long. In 1981 he married Jacqueline Ellam, who had been his banker. He had no children by either marriage. Autry, was raised into Freemasonry in 1927 at Catoosa Lodge No. 185, Catoosa Oklahoma.

He later became a 33rd degree Master Mason, as recorded on his headstone. Legacy On November 16, 1941, the town of Berwyn, Oklahoma, north of Ardmore, was renamed in honor of Gene Autry. In 1972 he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Autry was a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Burbank Lodge No. 1497. His 1976 autobiography, co-written by Mickey Herskowitz, was titled Back in the Saddle Again after his 1939 hit and signature tune. He is also featured year after year, on radio and "shopping mall music" at the holiday season, by his recording of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." "Rudolph" became the first No. 1 hit of the 1950s. CMT in 2003 ranked him No. 38 in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music.

When the Anaheim Angels won their first World Series in 2002, much of the championship was dedicated to him. The interchange of Interstate 5 and State Route 134, located near the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, is signed as the "Gene Autry Memorial Interchange." In 2007, he became a charter member of the Gennett Records Walk of Fame in Richmond, Indiana. Johnny Cash recorded a song in 1978 about Autry called "Who is Gene Autry?" Cash also got Autry to sign his famous black Martin D-35 guitar, which he plays in the video of "Hurt." In 1977, Autry was awarded the American Patriots Medal by Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Other winners of this medal were Helen Hayes, John Wayne, and Texas State Representative Clay Smothers. Autry was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2004, the Starz Entertainment Corporation joined forces with the Autry estate to restore all of his films, which have been shown on Starz's Encore Western Channel on cable television on a regular basis to date since.

Autry was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1991. Hollywood Walk of Fame Autry is the only person to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one in each of the five categories maintained by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Motion pictures, located at 6644 Hollywood Blvd. Radio, located at 6520 Hollywood Blvd. Recording, located at 6384 Hollywood Blvd. Television, located at 6667 Hollywood Blvd. Live theater, located at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. The Museum of the American West The Museum of the American West in Los Angeles' Griffith Park was founded in 1988 as the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, featuring much of his collection of Western art and memorabilia. It is now called The Autry National Center and is divided into two locations, eight miles apart from each other. Its mission is to present the unique and diverse perspectives of the American West, including the romanticized West in pop culture and the "real" nuanced history, including native and minority voices. Discography

Question: Known as "The Singing Cowboy" who had his biggest hit record with the original recording of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"?
Answer: Gene Autry